CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One child was killed and two others wounded in a pair of drive-by shootings late Monday in Statesville, according to the Statesville Police Department.
Investigators say a 9-year-old girl died in the shootings. Her identity was not released by police, but relatives told the Charlotte Observer’s news partner WBTV her name was Ah’miyahh Howell. She and a 7-year-old boy were playing in the yard at the time.
The shooting happened just before 7 p.m. Monday outside a home in the 1300 block of Wilson Lee Boulevard on the south side of Statesville, police said in a release.
Statesville is about 40 miles north of Charlotte.
“Officers located two children outside of the residence who suffered gunshot wounds,” police said in the release.
“Officers ... immediately began life saving efforts until EMS arrived. ... Both children were transported from the scene to the hospital. The 9-year-old child succumb to her injuries.”
The 7-year-old boy is still hospitalized, police said. Details of his condition were not released.
Witnesses told police the gunfire came from a white car, possibly a Mercedes, going south on Wilson Lee Boulevard, according to police.
Officers reported they were still at the scene when they heard gunfire at 8:34 p.m., and discovered another shooting had occurred three blocks east at 316 New Bern Ave.
Police said they arrived to find a 10-year-old boy who “suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound.” Witnesses told police the gunfire came from someone inside a white car, possibly a Honda Accord.
Investigators have not said if they believe the the shootings are related. However, it is believed the children were not the intended targets, police said.
Police Chief Chief David W. Addison posted a note Tuesday on Facebook, noting his department is having trouble finding witnesses. Too many people in the community fear being labeled “a snitch,” he said.
“Last night as we responded to the scene, to see two innocent children who suffered gunshots was heart wrenching. This senseless violence has to stop!” Addison wrote.
“Our community deserves better! Our children deserve a place to play without the fear of violence. One of our greatest challenges is getting people who witnessed these crimes to come forward. ... Not providing information to assist in solving crime destroys our community from within. I will never (accept) ... the excuse often heard about not getting involved. When you don’t share information you are involved in allowing crime to continue.”
Kendalen Howell told WBTV Ah’miyahh was her granddaughter, and she described her “as a smart, sassy little girl.”
“It makes me upset that you took my granddaughter away from me. She didn’t even get to live her life. She didn’t get to grow up,” Howell said.
